Attachment for tooth-brushes and the like.



Patented July 4, 1916.

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ROBERT MORSE WITHYCOMBE, OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTBALIA..

ATTACHMENT FOR TOOTH-BRUSHES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Application filed July 18, 1913.- Serial No. 779,779.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT Monsn WITHY- coMBn, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing it Sydney, in the State of New South Wales,Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in and Relat ng to Attachments for Tooth-Brushes and thelike, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to appliances for frictionally cleaning the teethor massaging the gums and proposes a device having a block or head ofsolid material for working the gums and a clip upon which the said blockor head is removably secured and which, in turn, may be detachablysecured on the handle of a tooth brush or equivalent holder and causesthe massaging block or head to act with resilient effect on the gums,thereby the more efficiently discharging its function.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein v Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a preferredconstruction as mounted upon the handle of a tooth brush; Fig. 2 is asimilar view, but showing the device in detached relation; Fig. 3 is aplan view; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

In the embodiment disclosed, the device is made of a length of springwire which is looped at one end to form a socket which fits over thehandle of a tooth brush or equivalent holder 10, the arms of the loopbeing coiled together at 18 so as to exert an inward pressure upon theadjacent face of the handle or equivalent holder and the ends 19 of saidarms being formed to exert an inward or lateral pressure against theopposite edges of said handle or holder. The portions of the arms whichlie against the face of the handle or holder opposite to that engaged bythe coil 18 arecrossed and bent forwardly into the plane of the coil 18,as shown in Fig. 1 and are thereupon twisted together throughout asuitable extent, as at 20, the twisted part 20 bearing for the whole ora part of its length against the same face of the handle or holder whichis acted upon by the coil 18. The wire of which the loop is formed hasits terminal portions extended beyond the twisted portion 20 and formedto provide two parallel prongs 13 which are inserted in openings orrecesses extending from the end face of the massaging block or head 15.

In using the device, the fore-finger is pressed against the face of thehandle or holder opposite to that which is engaged by the coil 18 andthe head 15 is held with suitable pressure against the gum andvigorously reciprocated both horizontally and vertically. The massagingeffect thus induced is materially promoted by the fact that the head 15has a resilient bearing on the gum due to the springiness of that partof the clip which includes the twisted portion 20 and the prongs 13. Inthis way, the pressure with which the massaging head is applied to thegums is not of absolute character such as would permit a mere rubbing ofthe gums. On the contrary, the massaging block, notwithstanding theuniform pressure of the fore finger against the handle or holder, canyield or spring to adapt itself to the contour of the gums, and thisspring thrust which takes place in a direction at right angles to theplane of reciprocatory movement of the massaging head, materiallypromotes the efficient toning of the gums.

Having fully described my invention, I claim- 1. A device of the clas'sspecified comprising a member provided at one end with a spring socketadapted to fit over the end of a tooth brush or equivalent holder and atits other end with a pair of spaced longitudinal prongs adapted to carrya block of dental massaging material, the said member having a springyportion adjacent the said block of massaging material whereby said blockmay be caused to bear with resilient pressure upon the gums.

2. A device of the class specified comprising a member consisting of asingle strip of spring wire bent to form a spring loop at one end ofsaid member for the reception of an end of a tooth brush handle orequivalent holder, and a pair of spaced longitudinal prongs atthe otherend thereof adapted to carry a block of dental massaging material, thearms of said loop having a coil connecting the sameand arranged to exertan inward pressure upon the adjacent face of the handle and having theirterminals arranged to exert an inward pressure upon the opposite edgesof the handle,

caused to bear with against the gums.

resilient pressure 10 In Witness whereof I afliX my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

ROBERT MORSE WITHYCOMBE.

Witnesses CHARLES E. GRAHAM, HENRY W. CLARKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe. Commissioner 01' Patents; Washington, D. G.

